As I sit in my office this morning, I just had a conversation with a colleague of mine – Someone I coach and train, and someone who constantly makes me think in return. I love his attitude. He is one of the most positive people I know. Today, however, we did not see eye to eye, which is not to say we argued but just had a difference of opinion.
We were speaking about luck. He brought it up in a casual way. He said, “Maybe I will get lucky today.” That caught my attention. I am a teacher of salespeople; I do not believe in luck.
Now I am a superstitious guy, not in a serious way, just for fun, but I do have my quirks. I always put on my left shoe first. I have no idea where this started, but I have done it my whole life. Sitting on my desk is a large wooden Buddha, I rub his belly every time I enter and exit the office. I don’t think these actions do anything for me; they just comfort me in a way that I can’t explain. But I know I do not do them for luck.
There is no such thing as luck.
Opportunity is a different word. Opportunity does come at random sometimes but more often than not it is the result of a specific action and just plain hard work.
What would it take for my friend to feel like he had “gotten lucky” today? A new client? I happen to know that is what he wants. But why leave that up to luck?
He is smart, talented, and good at his job. But sits by the phone waiting for luck.
The only luck my friend needs is belief in himself and to get off his rump and hustle. The harder you work, the more opportunity you will have. Luck has nothing to do with it.
So, how can we as educators help to change the way our students think? Or, how can we, as people, just help to change the way we think and process information?
How about this?
3 Small Changes, 1 BIG Difference
1. Listen More
Most educators, instructors, and teachers I know are brilliant minds who know the topics they teach in their bones. But how many of you have been teaching the same topics for years? Have your classes evolved and changed or are we thinking about learning through the same lens that we used even 5 years ago, much less 10 or 15 years ago.
We need to rethink our curriculum and listen to the students we teach. What are they most looking for in a class, a breakout session, a workshop? Are we addressing their needs for education or are we stuck offering the same classes over and over?
Try this, put out a poll to your students or employees asking what classes or topics they would most like to learn more about. I think the responses may surprise you.
2. Break Your Own Routine
The simple fact that you have read this tells me that you want to achieve more, to get better, to improve. The very best way to improve will always come from within. You have not gotten to this position in life by being average. You have an amazingly creative mind that has propelled your success thus far. But be honest, are you in a bit of a routine? I would be willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that you are happiest when you are creative. Designing new classes. Sparking a new charitable campaign. Thinking differently!
Try this, Next week take a different route to work EVERY day, and don’t take the same way home. This small change, while it may sound silly, will force your mind to think creatively on your route. No more autopilot. Putting yourself in new situations causes your mind to think differently, and to wake up. You may just get that one spark you are looking for when you take that third left instead of the second.
3. Dare To Be BOLD
Is there an itch in the back of your mind that you have thought about over and over but never attempted to scratch? A wild crazy thought that when you dream big enough, just may work?! Please listen to this: Anything you do advances us all. Anything you do advances us all. BE BOLD! Take that shot. Start a blog, write a book, open your own website, your own school. No one ever looked back on their life and said: “I wish I had done less.”
Try this, wake up every morning and say to yourself “What’s next?” “How can I be a part of it?”…..or better yet, sit down with a piece of paper, put that itch into words. Make it happen.
So to help our students and colleagues, we must think differently and reject luck.
I believe in magic, and love, and opportunity. I believe that a good hearted man with a passion can become a success at anything and that a smart, confident lady will change the world. I believe in baseball, flowers for no reason and good manners.
BUT I refuse to believe in luck. For that, I will just get back to work.
